to make suitable, desirable, or free from excess by mingling with something else; reduce in intensity, esp. by the admixture of some other quality; moderate; assuage; mollify: to temper criticism with reason
to bring to the proper texture, consistency, hardness, etc. by mixing with something or treating in some way: to temper paints with oil, to temper steel by heating and sudden cooling, to temper clay by moistening and kneading
to toughen, as by rigors or trying experiences
Rare to fit; adapt
Archaic to mix in proper proportions
Music to adjust the pitch of (a note) or tune (an instrument) according to some temperament
intransitive verb
to be or become tempered
noun
the state of being tempered; specif.,
Archaic a properly proportioned mixture
the state of a metal with regard to the degree of hardness and resilience
frame of mind; disposition; mood: in a bad temper
calmness of mind; composure: now only in the phrases and
a tendency to become angry readily: to have a temper
anger; rage: to go into a temper
something used to temper a mixture, etc.
the trend in thought and feeling (of an era, period, etc.); character: the temper of the times, the modern temper